EP 423 | Double Your Income: How Interior Designers Charge Confidently with Kristen Apicerno
If you’ve ever worried that you’re charging too much, you’re in good company—it’s one of the most common fears among interior design professionals. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with interior designer and BOD™ Member, Kristen Apicerno to share a powerful story of transformation that challenges the belief that fair pricing is “double dipping.”
Kristen opens up about her early discomfort charging project management fees, how outside opinions reinforced that fear, and why that mindset kept her doing the hardest parts of the job for free. Everything changed once she implemented Business of Design® systems and saw, clearly, just how much value she was providing—and how much income she was leaving on the table.
This conversation is both practical and empowering, offering insight into how confidence, communication, and structure can dramatically change your earning potential.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why designers and clients should be positioned as equals—and how language reinforces that
- How telling clients what will happen before it happens builds trust and authority
- How purposeful, open-ended questions strengthen client relationships
- Why letting clients do most of the talking leads to better outcomes
- How post-project strategies generate repeat work and referrals
DESIGN INTERVENTION
There’s no such thing as “double dipping” in design profit centers. To stay profitable, we should charge for ALL of these: our expertise and time, markup on goods and services and project management. No one accuses a grocery store of “double dipping” because they make profit on a loaf of bread AND their delivery service. Designers are a business-not a hobby.
About Kristen Apicerno
To nurture her long-time passion for effortlessly chic, tailored interiors, Kristen began her design journey with one of the nation’s foremost designers and TV hosts, Taniya Nayak. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to helping clients live better in their homes, she founded her own firm in 2020 and rapidly grew the business and her portfolio. Kristen’s client’s value GHDG’s crystal-clear project experience and her unwavering commitment to designing homes; not museums.
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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.
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